Superintendent of Schools Richard Matkin was honored recently with a Distinguished Alumni Award at Austin College. He was honored among fellow awardees on October 25 at an awards ceremony held at the college in Sherman. Surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, Mr. Matkin addressed guests about the honor and his current role as superintendent of Plano schools.

Former president of the Plano ISD Board of Trustees Tammy Richards, in a nomination letter to Austin College, stated, "I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Matkin in his prior role as chief financial officer for our district and currently as our superintendent. I consider naming him as our district leader in April 2011 as a true accomplishment of our board of trustees and an achievement on behalf of the school children of Plano ISD. I can personally attest to his allegiance, loyalty and obvious pride regarding his years at Austin College."

Richard Matkin, Tammy Richards, Michael Douglass

Ms. Richards continued, "He takes seriously his role as an ambassador for this prestigious learning institution and his experiences as a student and athlete are frequent topics of conversation among the elite leadership in education and with corporate citizens both inside and out of Plano ISD. Being an alumnus of Austin College and most importantly a graduate of the highly respected teacher program, Richard Matkin is an enthusiastic spokesperson displaying the genuine pride he feels toward his alma mater."

Richard Matkin with fellow awardees at Austin College

Mr. Matkin credits his strong foundational preparation from Austin College as the springboard into what has become a sterling educational and business career culminating into his current role as the superintendent of Plano ISD which boasts an enrollment of 56,000 students and an annual budget estimated at one-half billion dollars. Before accepting the post as the Plano ISD superintendent, Mr. Matkin served as the district's chief financial officer where his oversight encompassed all business and financial services, facility management, legislative advocacy and assisting the Texas Education Agency as a contributing author of their fiscal and financial accountability standards for all Texas school districts.

His masterful skills as a public school finance expert, coupled with his credentials as a Certified Public Accountant, acquired and maintained since 1988, make him the true authority and "go-to" school finance man who continues to navigate dicey state education funding while always maintaining the needs of each unique child at the heart of his service.

Mr. Matkin is pictured with his family members, daughter Natalie Anderson and her husband Brent, wife Debbie and son Ryan

Distinguished Alumnus Endorsements

"In gracious support of Mr. Richard Matkin and Austin College, I wholeheartedly support the nomination of Plano ISD Superintendent Richard Matkin as a candidate for the Austin
College Distinguished Alumni Award. He continues to be an ambassador of good will and an advocate for Austin College as well as a champion for public education."

"I am excited to have the opportunity to express my appreciation and support for my Austin College basketball teammate and apartment 1OA roommate Mr. Richard Matkin as a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Richard's contributions to Plano ISD as an administrator in finance and now superintendent are simply an extension of his role as a teacher, coach, administrator and friend of education."

-Joe Longino
Austin College Graduate, 1974 and 1975

Mr. Matkin with former roommate Joe Longino and college basketball teammate Doug Woodson

"Richard Matkin is most deserving of this honor. He is an ideal ambassador for Austin College and is the blueprint for
the kind of person that helps us to remain connected as past graduates and friends. I couldn't be more pleased with this nomination."

Mr. Hardee McCrary
The Longhorn Foundation, Assistant Director of Development
and former University of Texas assistant football coach
Austin College Graduate, 1973

"Richard Matkin exemplifies the gold standard of professionals in public education. And, he's got a great jump shot!"

"I have enjoyed my longtime relationship with Richard "Dick" Matkin and have always considered him both a professional and personal acquaintance. My wife Bonnie and I treasure him. I have observed him in professional and political circumstances as our backgrounds in accounting and finance are similar. I noted that in all situations he was never self-serving and was always extremely professional. He has raised a nice family, made an effort to stay in touch and exemplifies a good Kangaroo!"

-Jim Craft
Austin College Graduate, 1954

"We are genuinely pleased to support the nomination of Mr. Richard Matkin for the Austin College Alumni Award. We have known him since our college days together as friends and have admired him over the years as an exemplary educator. We have followed his career successes and can only imagine that he would be a perfect steward of the prestige and responsibilities that come to the recipient of the Austin College Distinguished Alumni Award."